Return to Jorgaldur Volume I: the battle mage

Tortured Souls

The snake was hit with the next burst of arrows, while the two caterpillars attacked the warriors with acid, which slightly corroded the spear with which Eldi executed Mill.

Caterpillars aren't easy enemies to face. Although their body is soft and easy to pierce, there are no organs to damage, in addition to recovering fairly quickly from physical injuries. However, if those weapons are made of magic, the result may not be the same.

Eldi tested a Frozen Spear on one of the caterpillars, and a Burning one on the other. Both turned out to be effective, but not as much as the Lightning one. Contrary to what the spear's creator expected, the effect was devastating, as if the caterpillar was electrocuted from within. It didn't make sense, so he thought it had been a coincidence, but it was also effective with the remaining caterpillar.

At that time, it was impossible for him to discover that those caterpillars had an intricate nervous network, which wasn't affected by losing a part of the body. And which, however, were unable to fight against the electricity that spread throughout it, affecting every corner of their being. It wouldn't be equally effective in a living caterpillar, it would only be able to paralyze it, but corruption had deprived it of the ability to recover from that type of attack.

Eldi and Omny sat down to rest as the archers approached. It had been dangerous, but less than they had expected. They had been especially impressed by the caterpillars fall, which normally weren't very dangerous but difficult to destroy.

Everyone felt tired but satisfied with their performance in battle, which is why they chatted animatedly, while always keeping an eye on the dark and treacherous Lost Forest.

It was then that they remembered the winged reptile that had survived, as it was approaching them. However, there was something odd about it. Its eyes had lost the reddish color, and it seemed to be making efforts to repel the miasma that was supposed to help it regenerate its body.

Everyone got up and wielded their weapons, confused but cautious. The archers took a few steps back, pulled the bowstring back, and aimed their arrows, while the warriors stood before them, one wielding a long sword and the other an imposing axe.

The winged reptile, with its wings broken, practically crawled towards them, stopping in front of the dark elf. But far from attacking or showing a threatening attitude, it lay down on the ground, exposing its neck, and emitting a strange scream that left no one indifferent, a cry of despair, sadness and plea.

"Rest in peace."

Those were the solemn words of the elf before cutting off the exposed neck, without hesitation, disappearing that being completely, but leaving behind a deep mark in the hearts of the whole group.

None of them was unaware of what had happened, not even the newcomer. It was known that these creatures could recover their sanity for a few moments, but never recover the life that had been corrupted.

And that reptile belonged to a species that had a symbiotic relationship with the elves. When they grew enough, they were used as mounts in exchange for protection and food. They grew up together, and it wasn't strange to see the young reptiles playing with the young elves.

Loyal and intelligent, that once young reptile had asked to be killed. It had preferred death rather than being the bloodthirsty creature that corruption had turned it into.

They remained silent while they were resting, sometimes looking sadly at the place where the reptile's body had disintegrated. And sometimes, with a determined look, towards the darkness of the forest.

Once they had regained their strength, everyone was more determined than ever to end as many corrupt beings as they could, to free them from that curse that allowed them not to grow old, but tortured their souls.

When at the end of the day they returned to the camp, some recognized their gaze, since they had passed through the same, time ago. Like them, they had acknowledged the importance of their mission, the importance of not letting that evil roam freely, of removing it from the face of the world before it did more damage.

But if they noticed someone, it was the visitor, since their identity was no longer doubtful. And, above all, those who knew what their level was before leaving, and could perceive that he had risen two levels in less than a day, something that should be impossible. Of course, he had several blessings and, rather than getting strong, he was regaining the power that had belonged to him in the game.

At level 60 he had unlocked Mana Loan and Energy Loan, which allow him to transfer his own reserves to allies, although some of it is lost in the process. At level 1 of affinity, 70% of it was lost, only granting 30%, while at level 10, it reached an efficiency of 75%.

They were both very useful to help level up low-level characters, but they could also be in exceptional situations, in which an extra mana or energy for a partner could make a difference. They could give birth to new possibilities and strategies, especially if there were a powerful mage in the group, since great spells require a lot of mana. They were both in affinity 10. Not surprisingly, Gjaki had once called him the "group's battery", something that young Eldi Hnefa had failed to avoid, not even with the empty threats like never going to give her "not one drop more. "

"Seriously?"

It is true that Lidia had already warned him, but even so Milengor couldn't quite believe the speed with which his father-in-law's strength grew, which supposedly would exceed his own when he regained all his power. He couldn't help wondering if that would be the limit, or if he could go further.

Likewise, he didn't quite understand the methods "of leveling" of the visitor, and didn't believe they were applicable to other people, not to mention that it wasn't easy to find out. After all, it took others much longer to check the effect.

However, he resignedly agreed to let him access a higher level area. He wasn't even surprised when several groups wanted him to go with them. Everyone wanted to check it out in person, and they ended up taking turns forming a group with him, something that was embarrassing to the high human.